Integrated And Convertible Garment And Portable Storage System

ABSTRACT

An integrated garment and storage unit system can include a storage unit, one or more carrying straps attached to the storage unit, a garment body configured to be worn on a user&#39;s torso, a first fastener attached to the garment body proximate to the waist opening, and a second fastener attached on the exterior surface of the garment body on the back side. the first and second fasteners can be positioned such that when the garment body is folded or rolled two or more times onto itself the second fastener is positioned proximate to the first fastener such that the first and the second fasteners can be joined to secure the garment body for storage on the first side of the storage unit so that the folder or rolled garment body fits at least approximately within the first area. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles are also described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/028,361, filed on Feb. 13, 2008 and entitled,“Chameleon Jacket and Vest Unlayering Clothing Systems” which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates to outerwear that includesintegrated and convertible storage compartments capable of storing thegarment itself and/or other items.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, a device includes a storage unit comprising at leastone interior compartment that is accessible through a reversiblyclosable opening. The storage unit has a first exterior surface with afirst side configured to be positioned adjacent to a user's body, andthe first side has a first height and a first width. One or morecarrying straps having sufficient length to be securable around a humanwaist or over a human shoulder are attached to the storage unit. Agarment body configured to be worn on a user's torso includes a frontside disposed opposite a back side and a waist opening disposed oppositea neck opening. The garment body includes a second exterior surface thatis joined to the first side of the storage unit at a joining location. Afirst fastener is attached to the garment body proximate to the waistopening, and a second fastener is attached to the exterior surface ofthe garment body on the back side and positioned such that when thegarment body is folded or rolled two or more times onto itself along anaxis between the waist opening and the neck opening, the second fasteneris positioned proximate to the first fastener such that the first andthe second fasteners can be joined to secure the garment body forstorage on the first side of the storage unit so that the folded orrolled garment body fits at least approximately within the first heightand the first width.

In an interrelated aspect, a method includes reducing a presented widthof a garment body of an integrated and convertible garment and portablestorage system that comprises a storage unit attached to the garmentbody. The storage unit has opposed lateral sides and a verticaldimension in a direction aligned with a vertical axis connecting a waistopening and a neck opening of the garment body. The reducing includeslaterally folding one or more elements of the garment body toward afront chest area of the garment body such that the presented width isless than a horizontal dimension of the storage unit between the twoopposed lateral sides. The garment body is folded or rolled over onitself one or more times along the vertical axis to reduce a presentedheight of the garment body to approximately the vertical dimension ofthe storage unit. A first fastener proximate the waist opening is joinedto a second fastener on a back side of the garment body to retain thegarment body in a stored position against a contact side of the storageunit that is configured to be worn against a user's body.

In various optional configurations, one or more of the followingfeatures can also be included. The storage unit can further include azipper that is operable to close the at least one compartment. The firstand the second fastener can include matched halves of a zipper. Astowage compartment can be included for each of the carrying straps,such that the stowage compartment allows the carrying strap to be stowedaway, extended on the outside of the garment body, and extended on theinside of the garment body depending on user preference. The joininglocation for the storage unit can be positioned on the back side of thegarment body proximate the waist opening. A hood can be attached at theneck opening and configured to cover a user's head while leaving a faceopening. The face opening can be covered by a mesh sized to preventinsects from passing through the face opening. Two opposing sleeves canbe included on the garment body and each configured to accept humanarms, and a reversible closure can be included beginning underneath eachsleeve that is operable to provide perspiration venting. The secondfastener can be positioned on the back side of the garment bodyapproximately two thirds of a distance between the waist opening and theneck opening and approximately even with a location of a wearer'sarmpits. The first fastener can be attached on an inside region of thegarment body proximate to the waist opening. The first fastener can beattached to the storage unit proximate to a bottom edge of the firstside. The first height of the first side of the storage unit can beapproximately 33% or approximately 25% of a distance from the waistopening to the neck opening of the garment body.

The subject matter described herein provides many advantages. Forexample, outerwear garments incorporating the current subject matter canbe extremely versatile by providing both a lumbar or shoulder pack thatcan be used to store and carry snacks, wallet, personal entertainment orcommunication devices, water bottle, car keys, airline ticket, passportand more and all quickly and easily convert into, for example, awaterproof windbreaker jacket while leaving the stored items stillaccessible. These features and others provides a great deal ofconvenience over currently available travel and active wear and can beparticularly advantageous for travel and outdoor sports includinghiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross country running or skiing, golf andmore as well as for sporting event spectators and the like.

The details of one or more variations of the subject matter describedherein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the descriptionbelow. Other features and advantages of the subject matter describedherein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from theclaims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, show certain aspects of the subject matterdisclosed herein and, together with the description, help explain someof the principles associated with the disclosed embodiments. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a front side of an example of an integratedand convertible garment and portable storage system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a back side of an example of an integratedand convertible garment and portable storage system.

FIG. 3 is a process flow chart showing a method for converting anintegrated and convertible garment and portable storage system from awearable configuration to a stowed configuration.

FIG. 4 through FIG. 7 are diagrams showing stages in a method forconverting an integrated and convertible garment and portable storagesystem from a wearable configuration to a stowed configuration.

FIG. 8 through FIG. 12 are diagrams showing various exemplary featuresof stowage and garment body pass-though compartments for carrying strapsof an integrated and convertible garment and portable storage system.

FIG. 13 through FIG. 15 are diagrams showing various details exemplaryfeatures of a storage unit of an integrated and convertible garment andportable storage system.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an alternative implementation of anintegrated and convertible garment and portable storage system.

FIG. 17 through FIGS. 20A and 20B are diagrams showing additionalfeatures that can be included on garment bodies of an integrated andconvertible garment and portable storage system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed subject matter includes outerwear such as for example arainwear or other general outdoor jacket, a vest, or other garment(including garments used for covering a human torso) that may convertinto a otherwise be integrated with a storage unit, such as for examplea pack that may be carried on a waist, lumbar, shoulder, somecombination of them, or other type of carrying pack. A garment can insome implementations convert from a pack to a jacket, vest, or othergarment. A waist/lumbar pack may also be carried over the shoulder inthe form of a satchel or harness.

Garments consistent with this disclosure can be made from fabrics suchas nylon, polyester, a blend of both, fleece, micro-fibers, canvas, orother material known to those skilled in the art. The fabric may becoated, or laminated to provide a water-resistant or waterproof andwind-resistant jacket or vest. The fabrics can be lined with additionallayers of fabric or mesh to provide additional layers of wind and waterprotection. The seams of the jacket or vest can be sealed in variousways to provide additional water-proofing.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are front side 100 and rear side 200 view diagramsshowing features that can appear in various implementations of thecurrently disclosed subject matter. A garment body 102 in included to beworn on a human torso. The garment body can include a waist opening 104disposed near the bottom of the garment body 102 and a neck opening 106disposed near the top of the garment body 102. The garment body 102 canalso include sleeves 110 of either full or short-sleeve length or canoptionally be a vest with no sleeves. Attached to the garment body at aconnection point is a storage unit 112. In the example shown in FIG. 1and FIG. 2, the connection point is on the rear side of the garment body102 proximate to the waist opening 104 such that when a user is wearingthe garment body 102, the storage unit 112 is positioned proximate tothe user's lower back, much like a typical waist or “fanny” pack mightbe worn. Other configurations are possible, for example the storage unit112 could be positioned higher up on the rear side of the garment body102 to function more like a typical knapsack or could even be positionedon the front side of the garment body 102 or on the interior of thegarment body 102.

As shown in FIG. 1, the garment body 102 can also include a frontclosure 114, for example a zipper that runs from the neck opening 106 tothe waist opening 104. Alternatively, the front closure 114 could allowonly partial opening of the garment body, for example to enlarge theneck opening 106. The garment body 102 can also include pockets that canhave closable features such as zipper son them.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, various implementations of the currentsubject matter can also include carrying or support straps 116 thatpermit the storage unit 112 to be securely fastened to a user forcomfortable carrying of items stored within the storage unit 112. In theexample of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, there are two such carrying straps 116that are attached proximate to the side edges of the storage unit 112.As discussed below, the carrying straps 116 can include additionalfeatures such as concealability or other discrete storage when fullsupport of the storage unit 112 against the wearer's body is notrequired. Other implementations can have one, two, or more carryingstraps 116. The number and orientation of such carrying straps can bedependent for example on the positioning of the storage unit 112 on thegarment body 102 and/or on the size and carrying capacity for which thestorage unit 112 is designed.

FIG. 3 is a process flow chart showing a method for using an integratedgarment and storage unit device according to the current subject matter.At 302, the garment body 102 can be folded laterally, for example asshown in FIG. 4, such that any elements such as sleeves 110 and/or anypart of the garment body 102 extending outward beyond the sides of thestorage unit 112 are folded toward the center or front chest area of thegarment body 102 and laid flat.

At 304, the garment body is folded one or more times along its verticalaxis (the vertical axis runs between the waist opening 104 and the neckopening 106), for example as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, such that thegarment body is reduced in area to an area approximately the same sizeas the storage unit 112. A first fastener 120 located at or near thewaist opening 104 is brought into proximity with a second fastener 122located on the back side of the garment body 102 as a result of thisfolding or rolling of the garment body 102. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG.6, this rolling or folding step can include a sequence of two folds,each of which folds the garment body 102 approximately in half along itsvertical axis, thereby resulting in reducing the vertical dimension ofthe garment body 102 by approximately 75%. In other implementations,approximately the top one third can be first folded over and then theremaining garment body 102 can be folded in half such that the verticaldimension of the garment body is reduced by approximately one third.

At 306, the first fastener 120 and the second fastener 122 are joined asshown in FIG. 7 to effectively retain the garment body 102 in a compact,inconspicuous state on the side of the storage unit 112 that is heldagainst the user's body when the carrying straps 116 are engaged. Thefirst and the second fasteners can optionally each be one half of azipper, snap, button, or other fastener. As noted, the first fastener120 can in some implementations be installed near to the waist opening104 of the garment body 102. The second fastener 122 can in someimplementations be installed on the back side of the garment body 102exterior at a position that will bring the second fastener 122 intoproximity with the first fastener 120 with a prescribed number of foldsor rolls of the garment body 102 along the vertical axis. In oneimplementation, the second fastener 122 can be positioned approximatelybetween the armpits of the garment body 102.

In a further optional variation, the carrying straps 116 can be storedin two lower zippered (or otherwise covered or uncovered) compartments124 on the sides of the garment body 102 as shown in FIG. 8 through FIG.12. These compartments 124 can optionally include pass-throughfunctionality to provide several configurations for the carrying straps116 including one or more of a) stowed in the compartment and not used,b) engaged around a user's waist on the outside of the garment body 102,and c) engaged around a user's waist on the inside of the garment body102. FIG. 8 shows an view of the inside front right of the garment body102 in which the compartment 124 is shown allowing a carrying strap 116to pass through into the interior of the garment body 102. In FIG. 9, asimilar view shows the carrying strap 116 stowed in the compartment 124.If the carrying straps 116 are stowed and not used, the storage unit issupported only by the garment body 102 itself while being worn by theuser. No additional straps or support are provided, which can enhancecomfort in some instances in which not much weight is borne in thestorage unit. Additionally, stowage of the carrying straps 116 can leadto the storage unit being largely inconspicuous as part of the garmentbody, which can be quite useful in deterring or otherwise notinteresting thieves.

FIG. 10 shows an outside view from the rear of the garment body 102 andstorage unit 112. One of the carrying straps 116 is out of itscompartment 124. The other strap 116 is hidden. FIG. 11 shows an insideview of the garment body with both carrying straps 116 stowed in theircompartments 124. Each compartment 124 can optionally have a fastener126, such as for example of Velcro, to retain the carrying straps 116neatly out of sight when stowed. FIG. 12 again shows the inside of thegarment body, only with the carrying straps 116 out of theircompartments 124 so that the storage unit can be supported from withinthe garment body 102.

A storage unit 112 according to the currently disclosed subject mattercan include a variety of features. As shown in FIG. 13, FIG. 14, andFIG. 15, the storage unit can include one or more compartments 130 thatcan be closable with a zipper 132 (as shown) or other fastener. Thecompartments, which can each optionally include additionally pockets,sub-compartments, hooks, chains, cozies, or the like, can carry items,such as food, water, music devices, cell phones, cameras, or be used asa travel pack to carry a wallet, passport, air ticket, credit cards etc.Pockets can optionally include but are not limited to, re-closeablepouches, zippered security pockets, pen or pencil holders, credit cardslots, water-bottle holders etc. The compartment or any number ofcompartments on the outside of the garment can advantageously be easilyaccessible when the garment body 102 is rolled and or folded to bestowed on the side of the storage unit 112.

In a further implementation, shown in FIG. 16, the storage unit 112 canbe joined to the back of the garment body 102 by a webbed connector 134that indicates one of the fold points for folding the garment body forstowage. Higher up on the back of the garment body 102, a second foldpoint is indicated by a zipper or other faster 136 that can be concealedunder a fabric lip for improved appearance and comfort. A matingfastener 140 can be positioned at the base of the storage unit 112 suchthat when the garment body is folded once zipper line 136 and again atthe webbing join point 134 at the webbing point, the zipper or fastener136 is brought in proximity with the mating fastener 140 for joining andsecuring the garment body 102 in the stowed position.

Garment bodies 102 according to possible variations of the currentinvention can take several forms and each can have one or more differentfeatures, including but not limited to those illustrated in FIG. 17through FIG. 20. For example, FIG. 17 shows a windbreaker-type garmenthaving a collar 140 at the neck opening 106 and an adjustable or elasticcuff 142 at the end of each sleeve 110. Such cuffs can optionally besecurable using Velcro, elastics, snaps, buttons, ties, straps, or thelike. The main zipper 114 of the garment body 102 passes all the wayfrom the waist opening 104 to the neck opening 106. The garment body 102can also optionally be provided with one or more outside and insideadditional storage pockets 144 of a variety of sizes, shapes, and modesof closure. Such pockets 144 can include, but are not limited to handpockets, chest pockets, stomach pockets, and inside security pockets.The pockets can be made of a different fabric such as a mesh polyesteror nylon and can be opened and closed with buttons, snaps, zippers, orother materials. In FIG. 18, a pullover-type garment body 102 is shown.In this example, the main zipper 114 begins at the neck opening but doesnot traverse all the way to the waist opening 104. FIG. 19 shows stillanother possible implementation of the current subject matter with adifferent pocket 144 configuration.

FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B show an example of a garment body that can includeadditional features. In one example, a hood 150 can be provided that canbe either permanently or removably attached at the neck opening 106,possibly at a collar 140 as shown in FIG. 20B. The hood 150 can includea face opening 152 for a user's face that can be open or optionallycovered in a fine mesh for preventing entry of insects or other pests. Aski-cap or watch-cap type of covering with small openings for eyes,mouth, and/or nose of the user can also be provided in the face opening152 to allow for added warmth. Any coverings provided for use in theface opening 152 can optionally be attachable and removable via someattachment system such as for example snaps, zippers, Velcro, snaps,buttons, or the like.

Various garment bodies 102 according to the current subject matter canalso optionally include one or more two-way zippers 154 or otherreversible closures under the arm 110 that provide vents that can run,for example from a short distance above the waist opening 104 of thegarment body 102 up to about one third of the distance down theunderside of the sleeve 110. Such vents may be used to provideventilation to a user while still maintaining water-proof properties ofthe garment body 102 facing upwards. The vents can either be completelyopen when the zippers 154 are open or they can include mesh or someother material to restrict entry of pests while allowing perspiration toescape from the inside of the garment body 102. Some garment bodies canalso include one or more reversible closures providing mesh ventilationports on the back, sides, or front of the garment body 102 for increasedair flow. There may be a portion of mesh fabric that can be zipperedaround the facial area attaching to the hood to provide protection frombugs such as mosquitoes.

Fabric such as for example fleece can form a zipper cover located nearthe top of the garment for comfort. A zip, snap, button, or fasteningtape, removable or roll down hood can be included. The hood 150 can insome variations be made from lighter weight nylon for ease of packing. Amusic device portal/hole system for headphone wires can also optionallybe included in the garment.

The terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms ofdescription and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the useof such terms and expressions, or any portions thereof, to exclude anyequivalents now known or later developed, whether or not suchequivalents are set forth or shown or described herein or whether or notsuch equivalents are viewed as predictable, but it is recognized thatvarious modifications are within the scope of the subject matterclaimed, whether or not those claims issued with or without alterationor amendment for any reason. Thus, it shall be understood that, althoughthe present subject matter has been specifically disclosed by preferredembodiments and optional features, modifications and variations thereinor herein disclosed can be resorted to, and such modifications andvariations are considered to be within the scope of the subject matterdisclosed and/or claimed herein.

Other implementations may be within the scope of the following claims.For example, while many of the implementations shown have a compartmenton the rear of the garment, the pocket may be on the front of thegarment to prevent theft (e.g., someone trying to pick-pocket someonefrom behind). To provide for accessibility of the pocket whiletransformed to a sack, the straps may be reversible or may be capable ofbeing fastened and utilized regardless of an orientation with regard tothe compartment. As another example, although the straps are shown asbeing nearly even in length on both sides, the straps might not beequilateral and one side of the straps may be longer and padded whilethe other is not such that a comfortable strap may be provided. Asanother example, there may be any number of compartments on either orboth sides of a garment that may be accessible when the garment istransformed to a storage device. As another example, the garment mayinclude a zip out liner.

1. A device comprising a storage unit comprising at least one interiorcompartment that is accessible through a reversibly closable opening,the storage unit having a first exterior surface with a first sideconfigured to be positioned adjacent to a user's body, the first sidehaving a first height and a first width; one or more carrying strapsattached to the storage unit, the one or more carrying straps havingsufficient length to be securable around a human waist or over a humanshoulder; a garment body configured to be worn on a user's torso, thegarment body comprising a front side disposed opposite a back side and awaist opening disposed opposite a neck opening, the garment bodycomprising a second exterior surface, the second exterior surface of thegarment body being joined to the first side of the storage unit at ajoining location; a first fastener attached to the garment bodyproximate to the waist opening; and a second fastener attached to theexterior surface of the garment body on the back side and positionedsuch that when the garment body is folded or rolled two or more timesonto itself along an axis between the waist opening and the neck openingthe second fastener is positioned proximate to the first fastener suchthat the first and the second fasteners can be joined to secure thegarment body for storage on the first side of the storage unit so thatthe folded or rolled garment body fits at least approximately within thefirst height and the first width.
 2. A device as in claim 1, wherein thestorage unit further comprises a zipper that is operable to close the atleast one compartment.
 3. A device as in claim 1, wherein the first andthe second fastener comprise matched halves of a zipper.
 4. A device asin claim 1, further comprising a stowage compartment for each of thecarrying straps, the stowage compartment allowing the carrying strap tobe stowed away, extended on the outside of the garment body, andextended on the inside of the garment body.
 5. A device as in claim 4,wherein the joining location for the storage unit is positioned on theback side of the garment body proximate the waist opening.
 6. A deviceas in claim 1, further comprising a hood attached at the neck openingand configured to cover a user's head while leaving a face opening.
 7. Adevice as in claim 1, wherein the face opening is covered by a meshsized to prevent insects from passing through the face opening.
 8. Adevice as in claim 1, wherein the garment body further comprises: twoopposing sleeves each configured to accept human arms; and a reversibleclosure beginning underneath each sleeve that is operable to provideperspiration venting.
 9. A device as in claim 1, wherein the secondfastener is positioned on the back side of the garment bodyapproximately two thirds of a distance between the waist opening and theneck opening and approximately even with a location of a wearer'sarmpits.
 10. A device as in claim 1, wherein the first fastener isattached on an inside region of the garment body proximate to the waistopening.
 11. A device as in claim 1, wherein the first fastener isattached to the storage unit proximate to a bottom edge of the firstside.
 12. A device as in claim 1, wherein the first height of the firstside of the storage unit is approximately 33% of a distance from thewaist opening to the neck opening of the garment body.
 13. A device asin claim 1, wherein the first height of the first side of the storageunit is approximately 25% of a distance from the waist opening to theneck opening of the garment body.
 14. A method comprising: reducing apresented width of a garment body of an integrated and convertiblegarment and portable storage system that comprises a storage unitattached to the garment body, the storage unit having opposed lateralsides and a vertical dimension in a direction aligned with a verticalaxis connecting a waist opening and a neck opening of the garment body,the reducing comprising laterally folding one or more elements of thegarment body toward a front chest area of the garment body such that thepresented width is less than a horizontal dimension of the storage unitbetween the two opposed lateral sides; folding or rolling the garmentbody over on itself one or more times along the vertical axis; thefolding or rolling reducing a presented height of the garment body toapproximately the vertical dimension of the storage unit; and joining afirst fastener proximate the waist opening and a second fastener on aback side of the garment body to retain the garment body in a storedposition against a contact side of the storage unit that is configuredto be worn against a user's body.
 15. A method as in claim 14, furthercomprising: deploying one or more carrying straps attached to thestorage device at the opposed lateral sides, the deploying comprisingremoving the one or more carrying straps from one or more stowagecompartments built into the garment body.
 16. A method as in claim 15,wherein the deploying comprises extending the one or more carryingstraps from the one or more stowage compartments so that the carryingstraps extend inside of the garment body.
 17. A method as in claim 16,further comprising securing the one or more carrying straps around auser's waist to support the storage unit.
 18. A method as in claim 17,wherein the deploying comprises extending the one or more carryingstraps from the one or more stowage compartments so that the carryingstraps extend outside of the garment body.
 19. A method as in claim 18,further comprising securing the one or more carrying straps around auser's waist to support the storage unit.
 20. A method as in claim 14,wherein the vertical dimension of the storage unit is approximately 25%or approximately 33% of a distance from the waist opening to the neckopening of the garment body.